Monday, September 05, 2005

I CAN DO IT MYSELF, THANK YOU!

It’s Friday night, and despite the welcome back dance at school I’m at home. However, it sounds much more depressing than it really is. I just didn’t feel like going. I had dinner with my parents, came back to CMC and walked around the compound with Betty, hung out with some girlfriends that live here, and now here I am typing. Besides, tomorrow Betty and I are going to go out and be gone all day. And despite my absence at the dance, I’m so surprised with how well and quickly I’m adjusting. Sure, I have these moments where I space out and find myself wandering down Telegraph and having a smoothie in Montclair as if I never left. But as I was telling a girl earlier today, it’s not that painful, I-need-to-stick-my-head-under-a-pillow-because-I’m-so-sad-and-homesick feeling; it’s a poignant ache somewhere deep inside, a happy memory, an everlasting love. It’s actually so much fun to meet new people, and I’m getting along really well so far.

I’d say that the biggest problem I’m having as of right now is the classism. Last night after I ate dinner with Menna and Danny, I started clearing my plate and Menna told me that I really didn’t have to do that. I have someone that cooks for me and cleans up after me. When I come home in the evenings my bed has been made. I have a driver that drives me to school. At school kids have drivers bring them their lunch at 11:45 so that it’s still warm when they eat it. After school kids will just hang out, leaving their drivers waiting for them for who knows how long (because hey, it’s not like the driver has a life or anything), until they’re finally ready to go. And obviously the driver should be ready. I don’t know that I’ll ever get used to this. Not that I AT ALL enjoy doing dishes at home, cleaning up behind myself, menamen (etc., and stuff), but there are times when I just want to scream, “I CAN DO IT MYSELF, THANK YOU!”

Hmm, what else is going on? I have to be at school at 9 a.m. tomorrow, a Saturday, for training for volleyball and soccer, and afterwards I’m getting my hair braided. Next Saturday is the Ethiopian New Year, and Wyclef Jean is coming to the Sheraton to perform. HECK YEAH I’m going to see him! There may (yes, there is) be a certain boy interest. So, yeah, I suppose that’s all for now.

2 comments:

dani
said...

Hi samamamai'm really afraid to write a blog because other people will read it and I'm definitely not as deep as you in my writing, but after much procastination I decided i just hafta do it!! I love reading your blogs and I check constantly to be updated on whats going on. I'm soooo glad you're having a great time and making friends (i knew you would... I mean afterall who couldn't love your amazing personality!), but at the same time I miss you TONS. Seriously, its different without ya! and I really miss talking to you. I can't wait to hear about this certain boy you spoke VERY BRIEFLY of. Tell more and post pictures I hear you have long hair! Much love baby.

god, how frustrating that i'm only able to see your blog like a week after it's posted! i miss you and love you so much, and reading your blogs more than anything is like a peek into your new life. that sounds ridiculous, but it's true. i'm going to email you more, because we need to catch up. i hate not knowing every juicy detail about your life. it sounds like quite a transition, but you're samra g, so i know you'll have an amazing time. besos! your sam

I am spending my junior year of high school abroad in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Home is on the other side of the world, over deserts and oceans and millions of other people's lives. But despite distance my love is invincible. Nonetheless, we can't see and talk to each other everyday; my blog thus acts as shadows, echoes, and skeletons of my life. The essence of me.